Household tongs



No. 749,110. PATENTED JAN. 5, 1904.

JQH. SPANGLER.

HOUSEHOLD TONGS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28,1903.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented January 5, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO A. M.

MILLER, OE PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

HOUSEHOLD TONGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 749,110,

Application filed January 28,

To a/ZZ whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, JOHN H. SPANGLER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Grafton, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Household Tongs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tongs, and relates more particularly to household tongs, the primary object of the invention being to construct a cheap, simple, eective, and handy device to be employed for various purposes around the kitchen or house or in store-rooms for lifting or grappling various articles and for various other purposes.

A'further object of the invention is to conzo struct a device of this character easily operated and in which the grappling or gripping tongs are normally held apart and are easily forced toward each other to grip the article by the aid of but one hand and without changing the gripping position of the hand upon the device or tool.

A still further object of the present invention is to construct a device of the above character that will be strong and durable,

3o applicable for many uses, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the above and other objects in view the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts 3 5 to be hereinafter more specifically described and then particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and in describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this 4o application, and wherein like numerals of reference will be employed for indicating like parts throughout both views of the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a detail perspective view of my improved household tongs. Fig. 2 is a detail side elevation of the same.

Briefly described, the invention comprises a pair of handles to the one end of each of which is pivotally secured one or more grip- 5o ping tongs' or tines. These tongs or tines are carried on shanks having their rear ends dated January 5, 1904.

IQOB. Serial No.1401835. (No model.)

slidably connected to the handles. Means (preferablya spring) is interposed between the handles for normally holding the tongs or tines in the open position.

In the present illustration of the invention I have shown a preferable form of construction in which the shanks or arms carrying the tongs or tines operate one within the other, and at their inner ends these shanks or arms have T-shaped heads which slide in keepers secured to the inner faces of the handles. However, this construction may be varied, as instead of providing a box or frame like portion in one of the shanks or arms for the other arm to operate in I may provide one of the arms with a pin to work in a slot in the other arm, whereby to accomplish the same movement of the arms or shanks, or I may provide other equivalent construction to accomplish the same movement of the arms or shanks in this particular, and, further, I may provide other equi valent construction to that shown for slidably connecting the ends of lthe shanks or arms to thehandles. I have, however, shown and will specifically describe a practical embodiment of the invention as it is practiced by me.

In the construction shown, 1 indicates the handles, which I preferably construct of wood, though other material may be employed. However, wood or other light material is preferred. Mounted on the inner end of these handles are ferrules or sleeves 2, provided with jaws 3, in which the shanks or arms of the prongs or tines are pivotally mounted. In the present showing I have illustrated a plurality of prongs or tines carried by each arm or shank. The number of these may be increased or decreased, as may be found desirable and as may be required in case the device is being constructed for the handling of any particular article. 'Ihese prongs or tines 4 may be cast integral with the arms or shanks in the manufacture, and while the prongs or tines carried by the two shanks or arms are preferably alike in their provided with a lug or ear 7 to the jaws 3, where it is secured by construction the shanks or arms 5 and 6 are ICO pivotpin 8. These arms or Shanks between the tines or prongs and the rear ends of the arms or Shanks havea compound curve, the backs or bows of the arms or Shanks being toward each other. The arm of shank 5 is constructed intermediate its ends with a frame or box-like portion 9, the slot l0 in which terminates at the inner end in an enboth substantially T shape in form. This slotted box-like frame is adapted to receive the arm or Shank 6, which works therein. Each of the arms or Shanks 5 6 are provided with T-shaped inner ends l2,which T-shaped ends slide in slotted keepers 14, attached to the inner faces of the handles l. The slots l5 in these keepers are also made substantially T-shaped in form, whereby to permit the insertion of the T-shaped ends of the arms or shanks, and for which purpose the the arm 5 is provided with the opening ll. The prongs or tines 4 are normally held in the extended position, and to this end I employ a spring 16, preferably of the form shown, the bow of which extends beyond the outer ends of the handles and forms a convenient means for hanging the device upon a nail, hook, or other support.

In use the prongs or tines are forced toward each other to grip the article under the of the grip. Upon the relieving of the pressure the spring forces the handles apart and the prongs or tines to the open position. While the device is useful for gripping various articles, it may be advantageously 'used as well as a lifter by engaging one set of the prongs alone with the device to be lifted, as with a stove-lid, pot, or other kitchen utensil, and for many other purposes.

While I have herein shown and described a preferable form of my invention as it is practiced by me, yet I do not wish to confine myself to the specific construction Shown and described, as various changes may be made in the details of construction Without departing from the Spirit of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a device of the character described, a pair of spring-pressed handles, an arm or slotted keepers shank pivotally connected to each of the handles, and one of said arms or shanks working within the other, prongs carried by the arms or Shanks, and means for slidably connecting the inner ends of the arms or Shanks to the handles, substantially as described.

In combination with the handles a means for normally holding the same apart, a pair of arms crossing each other and having their inner ends in sliding engagement with the said. handles, and their outer ends formed with prongs, means for pivotal] y mounting the said arms on the handles opposite to which their free ends are in engagement.

3. In combination with the handles and the arms having their outer ends formed with prongs, Said arms each being pivoted to one of Said'handles and having its opposite end in engagement with the opposite handle, a means carried by said handle to receive the Vinner ends of Said arms.

4. In a device of the character described a pair of handles having means for normally forcing the Same apart, lugs carried on the end of each of said handles having outwardlyextending apertures, a pair of grappling members pivotally mounted in said lugs and adapted to work one within the other, said members having sliding connections at their inner ends with the said handles.

5. A pair of household tongs comprising spring-pressed handles, raised slotted keepers secured on the inner faces of said handles, and a pair of intertting grappling members pivotally Secured to said handles, the inner ends thereof extending into said keepers and having means thereon for retaining the same within the keepers,substantially as described.

6. In a device of the character described, a pair of handles havinga spring secured to the inner faces thereof adapted to normally force the handles apart, raised longitudinally- Secured to the inner faces of said handles, sleeves carrying angularly-disposed apertured lugs and grappling members pivotally secured to said lugs and adapted to work, one Within the other, and having means thereon for holdingsaid handles within the Said keepers, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN H. SPANG-LER.

Witnesses:

A. M. WILSON, E. E. POTTER. 

